The Effect of Troxerutin on Apelin-13 and Its Receptor Gene Expression in Ovarian of Pregnant Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

Background & Objective: Apelin is a newly discovered member of adipocytokines that acts as an endogenous ligand for the G-coupled receptor for the protein orphan (APJ). This study aimed at investigating the beneficial effect of troxerutin (TRO) on apelin-13 and its receptor mRNA expression in the ovary of high-fat diet (HFD) fed rats. Materials & Methods: 40 three-week old female Wistar rats received control diet (CD) or HFD for 8 weeks. After mating, pregnant animals were divided into 4 subgroups: CD, CD +TRO, HFD, and HFD + TRO. Respective diets continued to the end of lactation. CD +TRO and HFD +TRO groups received troxerutin (150 mg/kg/day, P.O.) during pregnancy. After weaning offspring, animals in the maternal group were sacrificed. Then blood samples and ovarian tissue samples were collected for further evaluation. Results: The results indicated that HFD significantly increased serum apelin-13 in HFD dams, which was reversed by TRO treatment. Also, analysis showed that ovarian mRNA expression of the apelin receptor markedly down-regulated in the HFD group compared to control groups. It was also revealed that treatment with troxerutin in the HFD group could significantly increase apelin receptor mRNA expression in comparison with the both CD and HFD groups. Conclusion: Troxerutin treatment in obese pregnant mothers can affect the function of the reproductive system by modulating the serum apelin 13 and the expression of its receptor gene.